Leadership Morgan Hill and Gilroy Leadership are non-profit training programs within South County that encourage local citizens to develop the skills they need to become community leaders . Each class engages in a community service project . Here is what the classes of 2020 were up to :

Written By Jordan Rosenfeld

When the 2020 Gilroy Leadership class came together in February to figure out their group project , they had no idea that in a month ’ s time a global pandemic would change everything . Their original plan , to create a memorial fun run as a way to bring together a community that had suffered significant tragedy in the prior year , had to undergo a swift rethink .

“ Covid-19 put a damper on everyone ’ s plans , so we had to adapt ,” said Janet Krulee , a graduate of the 2020 class . With the Garlic Festival also cancelled due to the pandemic , they set their event on that same weekend in July to give a nod to that cornerstone event and to raise money for some of the local nonprofits who usually benefit from the Festival . In addition to a “ clove challenge ,” where people filmed themselves eating raw garlic cloves , they created a three-day event called Gilroy cLOVE Days . Friday , they focused on spreading the word about the seven nonprofits they highlighted through little pop up stands all over town . Saturday , they partnered with Gilroy Gardens to host a socially distant outdoor day of fitness . And Sunday they engaged the community in a 30-second “ moment of unity ” where people stood outside their homes at 5:30pm and rang bells .

“ It turned out to be so moving , really special to all of us ,” Krulee said . “ It gave everyone in the community a chance to participate in something that brings meaning , is healing , and brings unity to our community .” In fact , it was so powerful , they plan to keep the tradition going .

By selling the commemorative bells along with hats , shirts and stickers , they raised more than $ 30,000 that they paid out to the nonprofits .

The class aims to keep some aspects of their event going into the future , particularly the ringing of the bells . They are establishing their own Gilroy clove foundation under the umbrella of the Gilroy Foundation so that they can continue to spread the love .

Says Executive Director Mike Luevano , “ The class totally exceeded what I thought they could do given the circumstances .”

In December , Leadership Gilroy was named “ Small Non-Profit of the Year ” by the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce .

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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN WINTER 2021 gmhtoday . com